Re: Fasting not one size fits all
Lionlady,
Your comment..............
"fasting is not one size fits all".
then you had better discuss this with Mother Nature as it is her first method of choice in healing/cleansing the body.
The benefits of fasting do not depend on your weight (unless you are grossly underweight) or state of health, but if you are overweight, and/or your health is below par, then the body just takes that much longer to resolve these issues.
What you have described means that you haven't actually been fasting at all.............you are actually on a "restricted diet" of coffee, stevia, and herbal teas.
In following this regimen you are inviting malnutrition as the body will not conserve its vital food reserves of vitamins/minerals in the same way.
A water only fast according to thirst brings on full ketosis which suppresses appetite/hunger, and where your above protocol will allow hunger to continue unabated and therefore make it much more difficult: it is hardly surprising then that you have had to resort to willpower.
Fasting is a very private affair, and social settings need to be avoided if possible, as you will feel pressured into "conforming" by accepting drinks and food for example.
To resolve this you will need to discontinue your coffee etc, and rely on water only according to thirst and rest as much as possible. It is much easier this way, and much more efficient, in achieving the goals of healing and cleansing.
Chrisb1.